Tom Stoppard's deeply personal final play takes audiences into the heart of a prosperous Jewish family living in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district, once a vibrant center of Jewish life, across the span of half a century. Beginning on Christmas Day 1899, in the elegant apartment of Hermann and Gretl Merz, the play moves through scenes in 1900, 1924, 1938, and 1955, as the family navigates the convulsions of war, revolution, annexation, and the Holocaust.

The play is drawn in part from Stoppard's own history: all four of his grandparents were murdered in Nazi concentration camps, a discovery that transformed his understanding of his own identity. In "Leopoldstadt," he weaves together memory, family, and the question of what it means to be Jewish in Europe — to assimilate, to endure, and ultimately to reckon with what was lost.

Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Play, "Leopoldstadt" is an emotionally devastating and intellectually rich masterwork. Critics have called it Stoppard's greatest achievement, a sweeping family epic that is at once a celebration of culture, a lament for what was destroyed, and a testament to the persistence of memory.

Welcome to The White Theatre at The J, the region’s premier community theatre, where audiences enjoy high-quality productions, concerts, and special events in a beautiful, state-of-the-art venue. Located in Overland Park, KS, The White Theatre at The J is a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering exceptional artistic and educational experiences.

Our Mission:

The White Theatre at The J produces professional-quality theatre experiences that inspire, entertain, and connect our diverse community. We stage stories that cultivate an inclusive environment, spark conversation, and celebrate Jewish culture and values. We pride ourselves on our passion for theatre and the arts, and we are honored to share that passion with our artists and audience members.